Pendleton Sailor to be awarded Silver Star

Petty Officer 1st Class Benny Flores poses after receiving a Purple Heart at a ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Dec. 22, 2012. Flores provided lifesaving medical care to Marines and Afghan Uniform Police during an enemy attack, despite his own serious injuries, while serving as a field service medical technician during combat operations in Nimruz province’s Zaranj district during a partnered convoy, April 28, 2012. Flores was awarded a Silver Star for his heroic actions at a ceremony at the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. May 3, 2013. (Photo Courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Benny Flores)

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Petty Officer 1st Class Benny Flores will be awarded the Silver Star Medal on Friday, for his actions while deployed to southwest Afghanistan last year.

Flores provided lifesaving medical care to Marines and Afghan Uniform Police during an enemy attack, despite his own serious injuries, while serving as a field service medical technician during combat operations in Nimruz province’s Zaranj district during a partnered convoy, April 28, 2012.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held at the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company parade deck aboard Camp Pendleton at 2 p.m. PST, and will be broadcasted via live webcast at: http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/3002

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Field Medical Service Technician, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), on 28 April 2012, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During a partnered convoy, Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device attack and received small arms fire from several enemy positions. Without regard for his personal safety, with shrapnel wounds to his arms and neck, Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores treated the nearest wounded Marine while he was engaged by enemy small arms fire. He assisted the wounded Marine in maneuvering to a covered position and without hesitation, ran back into the street, exposed to enemy fire, and quickly provided medical assistance to a severely wounded Afghan Uniform Police Officer still in the damaged vehicle. Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores moved the injured officer to cover and administered First Aid. Under the cover of suppressive fire from members of the convoy, he returned a third time to the damaged vehicle to help another wounded Marine. After Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores applied a tourniquet, the wounded Marine was carried to cover where he continued to treat the casualty. Under the cover of suppressive fires by nearby Marines, he again crossed the street a fourth time to treat the final wounded Marine. Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores steadfastly refused treatment for his own wounds until all of his comrades were treated. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Hospital Corpsman First Class Flores reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”